Alaska Department of Fish and Game officials on Dec. 23 reminded hunters that the season would be closed Dec. 24-25 on magic reindeer.
The advisory announcement was issued to reindeer named Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blizen.
ADF&G officials said that last year their offices reported an increased number of calls and questions regarding magic reindeer. Santa’s reindeer look similar to common reindeer or caribou but have many characteristics that distinguish them from the seven other common subspecies.
“We do not know why the saintnicolas magicalus don’t shed their antlers; some have reported them to be in velvet in December,” said ADF&G Commissioner Douglas Vincent Lang. “They retain their antlers year-round. The population is small, and their range is limited to the North Pole area, with one notable seasonal exception. Researchers differ over whether the annual night flight of R.t. saintnicolas magicalus may technically be considered a migration.”
Santa’s reindeer’s diet during December consists almost entirely of carrot snacks with a little sparkly oatmeal. This enables them to fly long distances during short periods of time in unfavorable visibility conditions, according to ADF&G officials.
While feeding wildlife is generally prohibited in Alaska, it is permissible to provide carrot snacks and glitter-laced oatmeal on Christmas Eve should the faint sounds of harness bells and hoofbeats be detected on the rooftop.
